Parents forced children into boiling showers and kept heads underwater until they passed out

By Mason White 11:23 AM November 26, 2017

Lisa Pratt and Andrew Clent

A couple was caught abusing their children after neighbors saw them kicking a teenage boy in the ribs during a picnic, according to police in the United Kingdom.

Now, the man and his partner have been sentenced to prison after being convicted of child abuse.

Andrew Clent, 30, and Lisa Pratt, 36, both of Mercury Close, Bampton, were convicted following a two week trial at the Oxford Crown Court.

Pratt was convicted of two counts of cruelty to a person under 16 years and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Clent was convicted of two counts of cruelty to a person under 16 years.

Pratt was sentenced to seven years in prison while Clent got four years.

According to the police investigation, over a four year period, Clent and Pratt wilfully assaulted, ill-treated and neglected two children, causing them both physical and psychological harm.

The abuse came to light when neighbors saw Pratt assaulting a third child at a barbeque by kicking the teen in the ribs and shoulder, causing bruising.

The court heard how the partners force-fed their kids and pushed them into scalding hot showers.

They also held wet towels on their faces until they blacked out.

On other occasions, the parents refused to allow their children to use the bathroom until they soiled themselves.

The prints also kept their children’s heads underwater until they passed out.

Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Constable Rebecca McLeod of the Oxfordshire Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “The victims in this case were subjected to acts of extreme cruelty, the memories of which will have a lasting effect throughout their lives.

“All three of these young victims have shown considerable bravery throughout this investigation and subsequent trial, having the courage to give evidence which has resulted in Lisa Pratt and Andrew Clent being found guilty of wilfully ill-treating, assaulting and neglecting two of them over a four year period and assaulting the third victim causing the child injury.

“I hope that the verdict and sentences will enable the victims to move on with their lives and put this behind them. I would also like to thank the witnesses in this case who attended court and provided evidence which contributed to these convictions.”